Moving On

In the beginning of 2014 - I spent quite a bit of time deciding what this year needed to be.  Personal Growth, Quality People Time, Building Blocks for the Future and Self Care.  Decisions, not just random goals.  Choices, not just a written plan I would forget about.

And so it begins.

Firstly, I have found a holistic mentor to work with and deal with my health and nutrition issues related to allergies and food intolerances. Small, slow, steps that are already yielding great results.

Secondly, I will be working more with our garden and sustainability in the city, as well as finding a way to work with food insecurity in Worcester. My passion is Permaculture and finding a way to teach others and see that people are fed quality food.

Thirdly, I have a novel that I want to finish this year. 

There are many other things that I would like to do, but I have chosen these three to work on in addition to spending more quality time with family and friends. 

Ultimately at the end of the first goal, I will be in a place of digestive health and not ill from food. At the end of the third goal - I will self publish my novel.

For me, the second goal never ends. This is a lifelong passion.

For those of you who are reading this blog - I have moved to my own website:

www.adventureonplanetearth.com

In addition to changing my blog to a new home, I will be limiting my time on facebook to work on these projects. I will not be checking it often, so if something is urgent, please contact me directly by phone or email. I have to admit, I'm craving a little less electronics and a little more people time. I miss handwritten cards and letters, and coffee out to catch up with people, rather than the blow by blow details of the day. I also know how much I enjoy the sharing of good news, and photos of family and friends, so I won't stay away completely.

So that's it. Exciting changes! I am so looking forward to this year and the new format of my blog/website. I hope to have many new stories to tell with our garden experiments in this new year. 

See you next time!

M.

Rustic Wood Ornament

I was looking for a crafty idea for a favor at our holiday party as well as an ornament for 

co-workers and friends to give them with their holiday cards.

I found wood rounds on Etsy that were pre-drilled and had bark around the edges. 

Super cute and had the look I wanted: Rustic and hand made.

When I thought of what I wanted for decorating the ornaments, I decided to use materials I already had in my crafting box.  So, I used jingle bells of various sizes and colors, penguin charms, ribbons, and small rubber stamps with different inks.

I remembered a package of clear treat bags that the ornaments fit perfectly in. 

I tied them off with red and white string.

Perfect favor for our holiday party!

What I like about this craft is that I could easily change it up and paint the wood and use a wood stain and varnish to seal. There are so many sizes of wood rounds and an endless amount of potential crafting to be done! 

Snow Day Prep

I used to be that person - the one who watched the weather constantly and panicked at the slightest news of a storm. I ran to the store, stocking up with more food than anyone could possibly eat in the duration of a storm. I would think of the worst case scenario and struggle to find the basics that could be needed.

Over the past few years, I have educated myself in being prepared for different situations and now approach a storm in a different way. I still take a look at worse case scenarios, but without the unnecessary spending, panic or anxiety.

It is fortunate that I work for a great company - so if we have a storm like today's, I have the opportunity to take the day off completely and not deal with the bus and the difficult commute. Getting to work is not usually the issue, but if getting home looks questionable, I plan a vacation day off.

In storms, as in life, there are only a few absolute needs:  shelter, security, warmth, food, water, communication, light and peace of mind.  So, the worst case scenario for us in winter would be to lose power.


The mental checklist I go through is the same general way we live day to day:

Communication: I make sure everything is charged: radios, flashlights, batteries, solar lights, phones, iPad, etc.

Shelter/Security:  Our home is taken care of and maintained and is a safe place to live.

Warmth:  We have a wood stove that heats, cooks and if necessary, will boil water should the power go out and water heater shuts off. So the only prep for the bulk of our needs, is a good supply of kindling and wood brought into the house.

Water:  There are always a few cases of bottled water in the basement for use, or for emergency. We also have a few bottles of tap water than can be boiled for washing.

Food: We have a variety of fresh and stored foods that can easily be cooked - the same way we cook every day

Light: we have several sets of solar lights - used during the holidays - and always charged for night lights and for the rare situation of a power outage

General:  I also throw in a load of laundry to be sure clothes are clean and make sure dishes are washed. Rob brings in enough fire wood for a few days.

Paring down our stuff, knowing where everything is in our home, and being generally prepared for life, not just the storms, creates a peace of mind for me.

There is only one thing left to do - enjoy my day off and relax =)

Vanilla Chocolate Chip Cupcakes (GF)

In the quest for gluten-free desserts - we tried a new vanilla cake mix made by Bob's Red Mill.

Few ingredients, simple instructions. Quick & easy delicious cupcakes! I used olive oil in place of the vegetable oil and added a few chocolate chips to make it special. I'm looking forward to trying this mix as a layer cake in the future. One bag makes 20-ish cupcakes or 2 layers for a layer cake.

2014 Ambitions

Life is a series of events.

I expect 2014 will bring a series of challenges, adventures, gains and losses ~ I'm ready for it.

I took the month of January off from writing, etc. - to spend some time thinking about what I would like to be part of in 2014. Other than the day to day of working a job - I have several things that I want to work on this year:

~ Family & Friends - Monthly family dinners and more time with friends and family. Expressing my love and appreciation more and building memories that will last forever.
~  Music - Playing Guitar, Clarinet & Singing more - there is so much happiness in music!
~ Writing - this blog/website & the book I am working on
~ Gardening - work on our lot and making it sustainable
~ Permaculture - work on a new project of sustainability
~ Simplifying / Minimalism - continue to pare down on my personal belongings and lessen the footprint I have in this world
~ Health - continue to work toward healthy living / gluten free and as close to paleo/primal as possible.
~ Volunteer - find a way to work in the community to help lessen the food insecurity in our city
~ Inspiration - see the miracles and the inspiring people all around me and learn from them.

Most importantly, I plan to spend less time on things and more time on the people I value in my life. More time enjoying the amazing life that I have been given, and less time being caught up in the trivial setbacks that happen.

I have always believed that everything happens for a reason and every day is a gift.  For a little while, I forgot what should be a priority, and now I remember...

With the changes to my plans, I will be changing the way that I blog ~ giving one day a week to each of the topics I am focusing on.

Happy 2014 Everyone! I hope to change the world this year - or at the very least, I hope to live in a way that I am changed and add value to this amazing life I have been given...

Gluten-Free Pizza with Hercules

The wind is whipping around outside as the storm (Hercules) has finally arrived. Fire is roaring, and in the midst of this winter evening, I am again reminded of my craving for pepperoni pizza. It's one of the things I miss most having changed to a gluten-free diet. 

Looking into the variety of flours and gluten-free mixes we have yet to try - I found this recipe on the side of a GF Bisquick Box:

So it turns out that GF pizza is bubbly and delicious and making the dough doesn't take any more effort to make than other pizza dough and no rolling pin needed! Good plan for a snowy night. Yummy!

I split the dough into two metal pie tins

spread out the dough and cooked it at 450 until it cooked and browned

Add the sauce

Add whatever toppings you would like!

Cook until bubbly and delicious!

Game Changer

In November I started the Minimalism Game - it was excellent.  With with all of the activities of the holidays, in December the game and posting lost momentum and I came to this conclusion this week:

If I continue to count every single thing that I'm getting rid of - I will go insane. 

So it's a new adventure now. I've been donating, trashing, recycling, shredding and cleaning and will continue to do so. This continues to create space in our home and in myself. I have found treasures and instead of keeping all of my collections, I am keeping only favorites and passing on the rest to someone new.

My observations? 

I recommend everyone do one 30 day round of it every year, because it really changes your focus about what is truly needed. I am planning on December in 2014.

The excess has been overwhelming. (storage, upkeep, clutter, etc.)

I don't need to purchase a single thing in the new year - other than consumables.

I have everything I need to create crafts, music, stories, memories, gifts, and adventures.

If I lost everything I possess and still had my friends and family - the previous statement would remain true. 

There are great tools that assist in life, but all that is fun and interesting - and every great adventure - must begin within us. It has nothing to do with what we own and everything to do with who we are.

This process has shown me the generosity of the people around me and brought generosity toward others to the forefront of my mind and heart.

Here's to less stuff and more adventure in 2014!

Back to the Minimalism Game

Days 11, 12, 13, 14 & 15: The Minimalism Game

With the parties over and the holiday winding down, I begin vacation and am back to the cleaning out.

At this point, there really aren't a lot of stories to go along with the things I am getting rid of. At least, the story isn't different. Too much stuff kept for "someday" or "what if" or just stored and never used.

Some will be passed on, thrown away or donated.

Day 11:  Old games and software - and the worst movie ever made :)

Day 12: Miscellaneous brass, candles, mugs

Days 13-15: Empty containers  - kept "just in case" 

(we would need them for the garden, we would need them when we have quail/chickens for eggs, etc.)

As I go through the holiday decorations and begin emptying of storage bins, I look forward to beginning the new year in a house without clutter and only things that have function and meaning - less things to care for and more time to work on projects and goals.

Here's to 2014!

Finding a Miracle in the Chaos

I admit it - I have been distracted, annoyed, distant, exhausted. My creativity has been zero. And yet out of this - one moment of concern brought about an amazing thing...

Every year I try to do something during the holidays for someone in need. This year I worked with the United Way Committee at the Telegram to help with fund raisers and pledges, and a couple of weeks ago we received an email with a wish list of local agencies hoping for help with making the holidays special for the people they care for. These people work hard all year round, in real situations, to make life work for so many people.  I saw one agency on the list that is a residential home for teen girls and decided that I would do something for them.

What happened after that is my own personal Christmas miracle. I mentioned to a couple of people at work, and out, that I was planning to do a small gift for each of the girls and one by one people started to help. A special thank you to Robin and Terri for helping with everything - to make this possible.

Gifts ranged from $1.00 for each of the girls, to a gift card and plush throw for each of them. And so it began.  Where it ended was so amazing that it brings tears to my eyes each time I think of it.

Cookies and hot chocolate, pancakes and syrup, fruit and juice for Christmas Eve and Christmas morning.

A gift bag with an amazing amount of gifts. Handmade scarves, gift cards, cash, blankets, gloves, nail polish, candy, etc. etc. Everything to make a teen feel warm and special. There were also bags and bags of donations other than the gifts...

each girl received a stocking full of candy and small gifts

gift cards, wallets, t-shirts

Toiletries

gloves, socks and more gloves

Pretty in a gift box

Stockings, cookies and more!

Each of the 10 girls received one of these bags 

Extra donations - other than gifts

The generosity of my coworkers and family and friends is overwhelming.

The lives of the ten girls that received these gifts, the workers that live with them, and I think, all of us that contributed - are changed.  It is amazing how everyone giving just a little, can change us all.

I am changed, my heart is larger, and I am seeing clearly in the chaos that surrounds the day to day.

I see clearly again what truly matters. Not just at Christmas, but every day...we desperately need each other, and in so many more ways than we can even think of or understand.

When my kids were little they would ask me if there was a Santa Claus, and I would repeat to them every year, and still repeat "there are gifts under our tree every year that we don't buy - there is absolutely a Santa Claus".

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year - may we all find our miracles as we need them.

Our Holiday Party

Last Sunday night.

The snow was falling and nothing in the neighborhood was moving. The solar lights were lighting the tree and blinking away on the fence outside. The fire was crackling in the kitchen stove and wine flowed freely.

I was warm, well fed (thank you Rosalina's) and feeling grateful. I have amazing family and friends that are kind and generous and fun to be around. This year we decided to have a party to celebrate the holidays and invited family and friends to Rosalina's for dinner.

The food was amazing, as always and it was fun to hang out and visit with everyone that could make it out in the snow storm.  A little like every day lately. The storms are there, and we have to fight through them to reach each other and connect.

I am grateful for everyone who could make it and help us establish a new tradition! You all rock!

Much Love, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!  <3 <3

A Long Winter's Nap

Most of my posts lately have been about the Minimalism Game. I am thoroughly enjoying this process of touching every item in this house and making a decision if it is useful or not. We have donated clothing and shoes, recycled many items, passed things on to people who will use them next. This simplifying, for me, started a couple of years ago with a few different blogs that I read and a great many books.

The driving force, however, is the desire to reverse the balance in my life - where people are most important and I spend my time with people, and where things are minimal and useful and don't consume my time and space.

For the holidays this year, beginning with Thanksgiving - we decided to simplify.

For us, it means not renting a car, not putting someone else in a position of being responsible for picking us up and getting us home. Most importantly, it meant relaxing and cooking a meal and sharing it with our kids and a couple of friends.

It's simple. I love my family and friends. I also enjoy the holidays a great deal. But the chaos that ensues had to change.

For Christmas - we are staying home. For the first time since I was a child, I will get up and make something delicious for breakfast, open gifts with the four of us and then slowly cook and enjoy our Christmas dinner. People will stop by, some of us may head out to visit others, but Rob & I will be home on Christmas.

I'm the oldest of seven and it seems right that it is my responsibility to make the change first. As my children head into their lives at lightening speed and add amazing relationships and new jobs and places of their own in the coming year, I realize that this could be our last holiday like this. I want to slow down and really treasure the time together. Of course, we are striving for this all the time, but life is so busy lately that it has been difficult to find a moment of peace.

So I'm taking back the moment. We will see most of our family and friends over the course of December and there have already been several fun events. The world is pulling us constantly through work demands, technology keeps us on call 24/7, all of it. I need a break to recharge.

Starting on December 20th, I am on vacation for a couple of weeks. Time to celebrate, visit with friends and family, volunteer for a local group to bring them Christmas, recharge and get back my creative energy.  I spend many moments in my day searching for complete sentences. I'm burnt out and tired and need a long winter's nap.

Imagine the fire crackling in the wood stove, hot coffee brewing, soft pajamas, a warm blanket, favorite game or book, people around you (in person or in spirit) that you love, other dog / cat / human companions, and napping at every opportunity.

Today and in the new year, treasure the smallest of details and really be present for your life. Make the mundane tasks into adventures!

Whatever it is that recharges your creative energy and warms your heart - I wish that for you.

Peace. Hope. Joy.

Days 9 & 10: The Minimalism Game

Days 9 & 10: The Minimalism Game:  Thinning out my morning routine: 

Day 9 - Extras around the bathroom

Day 10 - old and extra make-up

The only observation I have from this is that I am always surrounded by excess. 

Things I don't need or use. Things I wasted money on. Things I don't pay attention to.

December 1st - 8th: Minimalism Game

Round Two - Days 1 through 8

And so begins December and another month of The Minimalism Game...

 With December holiday decorating - I will be going through the many storage bins of decorations and cutting down on what we keep for next year.

Again, what is worth keeping will be donated or passed on to someone who will use it.

Day 1:  With all of the stuff I deleted from our house in November, there is an empty (old and falling apart) cart that was between the washer and dryer and often collected items that didn't belong there. Although many those items are also gone for good, less shelves completely removes the possibility of things piling up.

Day 2: A Couple of unused things (yes - ice bucket from a refrigerator we no longer have)

Day 3: Two Dead iPods and case to ebay

Days 4 & 5: Odd Extra Stockings to fill and give away

Day 6: Old Wreaths and Garlands

Day 7: Odds and ends out of a cupboard - empty, dusty, unused

Day 8: From when we used paper plates...

I am looking forward to December and the changes this game is creating in our home - and even more importantly in me!